Hershey workers voting on labor agreement

HERSHEY, Pa. — Workers at the hometown plants of chocolate manufacturer Hershey are voting on a labor deal that could cut hundreds of jobs.

Employees began voting this morning on a restructuring agreement that would expand one of the plants in Hershey and turn the original factory built by founder Milton Hershey into an office building. The voting was to remain open until 7 p.m. Eastern.

The Pennsylvania candy company could cut up to 600 jobs under the plan.

Union negotiators and company officials reached a tentative agreement on Tuesday. The deal must be approved by a majority of the approximately 1,600 members who work at both factories.

Hershey has threatened to move the expansion and jobs elsewhere if the union rejects the deal.